Board won't seek to fire school worker for sexual harassment

The School Board is supporting the superintendent's decision to suspend county computer technician Charles Haseltine for 20 days without pay.

By Joe CallahanStaff writer

The School Board is supporting Superintendent of Schools George Tomyn's decision to suspend county computer technician Charles Haseltine for 20 days without pay, after all.

For about 15 minutes during Tuesday night's board meeting, the board debated whether to override Tomyn and seek to fire Haseltine for sexual harassment.

Board member Nancy Stacy made a motion seeking termination of Haseltine, who has been disciplined twice for harassment since 2008.

Stacy said if her motion was accepted, then the action should be tabled until the May 14 board meeting so Haseltine could be afforded his due process rights.

But the motion, also supported by board member Carol Ely, was voted down 3-2.

The board then voted unanimously to accept Tomyn's recommendation to suspend Haseltine for 20 days without pay.

Since Haseltine was put on paid leave for 27 days while the district investigated, he has already served his time punishment. His pay will now be docked 20 days.

The decision came moments after Tomyn sternly reminded board members that board policy — and Florida law — clearly state that the power to hire and fire employees rests solely with the superintendent.

Last month, Tomyn ordered the unpaid suspension of Haseltine based on a lengthy investigation. At the time, Haseltine worked at several schools in the district's northern sector.

Two Anthony Elementary School teachers reported that Haseltine gave them an unwanted kiss on the cheek, hugs and tried to massage their shoulders.

Haseltine has since been re-assigned to a different geographic sector. He is scheduled to retire next year.

Haseltine told a district investigator it is “quite obvious that I've gone too far and I'll need to tighten up again,” a district document states. Since Haseltine had been suspended once before for similar behavior, Stacy believes he should not be given another chance.

Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.